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GILMER — A district court judge will be fulfilling some of the duties left behind by Upshur County Judge Dean Fowler after he was suspended. Fowler was suspended after he was indicted on an official oppression charge, causing a backlog of cases to pile up and forcing the county to take action. Precinct One Commissioner James Crittenden has taken over Fowler’s responsibilities during commissioners’ court meetings while Fowler is suspended.

TYLER — At the City Council meeting Wednesday morning, City Manager Mark McDaniel announced the appointment of Tyler’s new fire chief, Tim Johnson. Johnson has served the Tyler Fire Department for nearly 30 years.

He began his firefighting career in 1981 and progressed through the ranks of firefighter, driver, captain, senior captain, and district chief. He has also served as chairman of the firefighter’s pension fund for the last 17 years.

Johnson was promoted to Fire District Chief in 2008, holds a Master Certification through the Texas Fire Commission, and has earned ten certifications in firefighting, including: Instructor Certificate, Hazardous Materials, Technical Rope Rescue, Extrication, High Angle Rescue, Confined Space, Incident Command, Incident Management, and Hurex/Hurricane Training. In addition to Johnson’s experience as a firefighter, he has served as the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Mabank for six years, been on the Mabank City Council, serves on the Mabank Economic Development Corporation, and served on the Mabank School Board.

TYLER — There was a lot to celebrate as Heart of Tyler held its annual meeting. The Downtown Revitalization Group looked ahead to several projects in the works, from the new sheriff’s office and Spring Street Plaza — that’s the project planned for the site of a devastating fire — to a new downtown Brookshire’s and a renovation of the old Elks’ Lodge building. The organization’s Brick Street Award went to AT&T for it’s long time support — most recently, a generous grant to support downtown arts.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners are again looking to expand the Smith County Jail. The expansion plan carries a $33 million price tag and would increase the county’s inmate occupancy level from 755 to more than 1,100. According to officials, the goal is to reduce numbers at the jail. Officials are hosting a town-hall style meeting February 10th at the Smith County Courthouse.

TYLER — A Tyler man found guilty of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and sexually assaulting her is sentenced to life in prison. Elasko Thomas, 37, was sentenced Thursday morning in a Smith County courtroom. The victim reportedly came home to tell Thomas to leave her and her parents alone. That’s when Thomas reportedly kidnapped her, beat her and sexually assaulted her twice. In testimony Tuesday, the victim’s parents said Thomas told them “something bad” was going to happen when he found their daughter.

TYLER – A suspect in the Sunday night robbery of the Exxon Corner Market on Lake Placid Road has been arrested. Taken into custody Tuesday, without incident, was Clance Nelson, 31, of Tyler.

He was identified as the suspect after the robbery video was aired Monday night. Several tips were called in to police identifying Nelson as the suspect. He was currently wanted for a parole violation and Tyler police have added the robbery charge against him. Nelson’s bond was set at $100,000.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – A prisoner in the Hopkins County jail is in a Tyler hospital, possibly suffering from a brain aneurysm. The 38 year old unidentified man complained numbness in his feet and hands. After being checked out by EMS, and it was determined he was gravely ill, the man was flown to Mother Francis Hospital. At last report he was on life support.

NACOGDOCHES — An East Texas company preparing to employ more than 200 refugees. But there are still a lot of unanswered questions about how it’s going to work. Pilgrim’s Pride in Nacogdoches has 4,000 employees, but it still needs about 400 more. According to Pilgrim’s, after advertising for two years, the company still couldn’t fill the empty slots. The refugees being hired are from Burma, also known as Myanmar, the second poorest country in the world. Currently workers and their families are living in Houston, getting ready for the Nacogdoches transition.

Work at Pilgrim’s Pride means a paycheck, plus benefits. Company officials say the workers will have the same responsibilities as others in the U.S., including taxes and rent. City officials say the children will go to public schools and families will live in a closed nursing home. There are no Burmese translators right now for the company, But Pilgrim’s is confident it will find one. As for the children, most don’t have birth certificates, making it difficult to determine in exactly which grade in school they’ll be enrolled.

TYLER – Officials with Carter BloodCare say they’re experiencing a severe shortage of two blood types. According to officials, the current inventory of blood types O negative and B negative is significantly less than the preferred supply for the area. Carter is strongly urging all able and eligible donors with these two blood types to make an appointment to give blood within the next couple of days. Persons with O negative blood make up only seven percent of the general population, while those with B negative are a mere two percent.

Carter BloodCare supplies the majority of trauma centers in the East Texas area. Type O negative blood is commonly used for emergencies because any patient can receive it until his or her own type is known. Carter BloodCare says it wants to ensure that blood types O negative and B negative are available for area patients, should the need arise.

Potential blood donors must be at least 16 years old with a parent’s consent, and 17-year-olds may donate independently. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. Photo ID is required. There is no upper age limit for donors, and most medications do not interfere with donor eligibility. For more information or to make an appointment to give blood, visit http://www.carterbloodcare.org or call 1-800-DONATE-4.

TYLER – A suspect in the Sunday night robbery of the Exxon Corner Market on Lake Placid Road has been arrested. Taken into custody Tuesday, without incident, was Clance Nelson, 31, of Tyler.

He was identified as the suspect after the robbery video was aired Monday night. Several tips were called in to police identifying Nelson as the suspect. He was currently wanted for a parole violation and Tyler police have added the robbery charge against him. Nelson’s bond was set at $100,000.

LONGVIEW – A man accused of shooting his wife, who was a Longview police officer, remains free on bond — but there are some conditions to his release. Harry Goodan was released from jail Tuesday on a $75,000 bond. His bond had been $500,000, but was lowered to $75,000 earlier this month.

Among the release conditions: Goodan must be at his home between 7:00pm and 6:00am. He could leave during that time if the pre-trial services gives him permission. There will also be an electronic monitoring device installed at his home. Once a week, he will have to report to pre-trial services.

Last month, Longview officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Tryon Road. They found Longview Police Officer Jamie “Ellyn” Goodan, 38, dead from a gunshot wound. Her husband, Harry was later charged with murder. Mr. Goodan was also employed by the Police Department as the 911 Communications Administrator.

GILMER — A state district judge has approved a $5.5 million out-of-court settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the mother and stepfather of a 6-year-old Union Grove boy killed in a two-vehicle crash nearly a year ago. Melody Croley and her husband, Jerry D. Croley, received the settlement in connection with the death of Nathan Connor Croley, who was a first-grader at Union Grove Elementary School. Authorities say he died instantly. Defendants had been Talley Rents L.L.C., and the driver of its commercial van, Judson William Maurer of Longview. Part of the settlement compensates Clinton Richey, Melody Croley’s 17-year-old son from a prior marriage, and her husband for injuries suffered in the January 29, 2010, wreck.

QUITMAN — A retrial is ordered in the case of Ty Jordan Evans, 19, charged with murder in the death of Anna Marie Moore, 24, of Winnsboro. Evans’ first trial ended with a hung jury Friday. Jurors had deliberated about six hours. Evans was accused of killing Moore in a drive-by shooting May 9. He is the first of two people to face charges in Moore’s death, which took place at her home near Winnsboro Middle School. Evans’ brother, Demarcus Hearn, also faces charges in Moore’s death as the driver of the car from which shots were fired. Moore was shot in the head as she sat on her couch. No date has been set for the retrial.

QUITMAN — Accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound has been ruled as the cause of death in the case of Loren Wayne Saunders, 16, of Alba. Officials said at approximately 1:33 a.m. January 18th, a dispatcher received a 911 call from Loren Wayne Saunders’ father, reporting his son had been shot and he was doing CPR on him. When officers arrived at Chaney Point RV Park east of Alba they found the teenager was already dead. He was lying on the floor of the two-room cabin and had a gunshot wound to his chest from a .22 caliber revolver.

Sheriff’s Department Investigator William Burge said the accidental ruling was “based on interviews we conducted with his father, his friends, the community and on evidence from SWIFTS.” SWIFTS is the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, which called the investigator with information from the autopsy.

Burge said Saunders lived at the home with his father and that Saunders had had the gun for a while and his father had told him that Loren was never to take it without his permission, “but we know he did on more than one occasion.” As far as why Saunders would have been handling a gun at 1:30 a.m., Burge said the investigation had revealed his fascination with firearms, and unsafe handling of the gun was described by his father.

Saunders was a sophomore at Alba-Golden High School.

TYLER — A continuance has been granted in the case against Tyler dentist Charles Edward Robinson. The 53 year old Robinson is accused of secretly videotaping a 40-year-old woman and her 15-year-old daughter for the past 3 years. Robinson was in court yesterday when both the defense and the prosecution requested a continuance. A tentative court date was set for February 14th.

Following Robinson’s arrest last month, Sheriff J.B. Smith said cameras were found inside the woman’s home after she called deputies. They say they were focused in both the bedrooms and bathrooms of the woman and her daughter, who rented from Robinson. Robinson has been charged with possession of child pornography, a third-degree felony, and improper visual recording, which is a state jail felony.

NACOGDOCHES — A car-motorcycle near Nacogdoches has left one person dead. Killed was the motorcyclist, Jesus Lopez, 44, of Nacogdoches. He died when a car turned in front of him and he hit the car head-on. The car’s driver, Emory Fields III, of Shreveport, was cited for failure to yield the right of way. Information on the wreck will be presented to a Nacogdoches County grand jury for possible additional charges.

The accident happened Monday morning on State Highway 7 east. Before the wreckage could be cleared, an empty logging truck driven by Matthew Calloway, 29, of Center crashed into the wreckage.

TYLER – A continuance has been granted in the case against a Tyler dentist accused of illegally taping a mother and daughter. 53-year-old Charles Edward Robinson was arrested in December. KETK reports he was in court Monday, and both the defense and prosecution asked for a continuance. A tentative court date of February 14 has been set.

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) unveils a transformation of its identity with a new brand. Officials say that the brand supports the recent improved appearance of the health district’s facilities at 815 North Broadway in Tyler, as well as the WIC clinics located in Canton and Jacksonville. Officials add that the logo “was designed to better emphasize the protection that NET Health provides for the health of our community.” According to press materials, NET Health underwent renovations in 2009 – 2010 to allow for an expansion of its services, allow for more security and privacy for clients, and provide a much needed cosmetic improvement for the building. Officials say the renovation initiated the apparent need for a “new look” for the District.

“We have worked diligently to transform NET Health into an organization that the community can rely on for credible public health information and services. With our improved facility, new logo and new name, it is our hope that this image reflects who we are and that we serve the Northeast Texas community to the highest standard,” says George Roberts, NET Health Chief Executive Officer.

According to Roberts, the new NET Health logo star represents Texas, and the shield relates to the protection function that Public Health serves daily. In addition to the new logo, NET Health’s identity now includes an abbreviated version of the name Northeast Texas Public Health District. The redesign is a departure from the previous logo, which was a blue State of Texas with the name Northeast Texas Public Health District circled around. “The NET Health Board and Leadership team are excited about the change and what this means for the future of our organization.” says Jim Hartung, NET Health, Board Chair.

The organization’s new website — http://www.healthyeasttx.org — has already gone live with the new logo. NET Health will now start changing the logo on facilities, vehicles, and educational materials in a transition that is expected to take about 6 months.

TYLER — The Heart of Tyler will celebrate downtown revitalization advances that occurred in the past year at the organization’s annual meeting tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 at Gallery Main Street, 110 West Erwin. The non-profit organization, which also serves as an advisory board to the City of Tyler, will hold a special program at 7 p.m. to elect new board members and detail accomplishments of 2010 and plans for 2011.

Current board members who have been nominated for second terms are Casey Brownlow of Brownlow and Sons and Patrice Stine, Pillsbury GMAC / Venue Properties. Those nominated for first terms as board members are Russell Cooper, Brookshire Grocery Company; Scott Frazier, cue:creative; Bill Newburn, Regions Bank; and Shane Rohrbach, CPA, Gollob Morgan Peddy. A highlight of the evening will be presentation of the Brick Award for outstanding support of downtown revitalization. Last year’s recipient was Ron Mabry.

Board President Ingrid Young said that numerous information boards about upcoming downtown revitalization projects will be on display throughout the gallery. The public is invited to the event; RSVPs are recommended. RSVPs can be made by sending an email to [email protected] or calling 903-593-6905.

TYLER — The South Tyler Rotary Monday presented six $1,000 checks to the Salvation Army, Azleway, CASA, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and the East Texas Crisis Center. The Annual Spaghetti supper is the event that raised the funds for these and several other organizations. The event has been in existence for approximately two decades. The majority of the funds from the event are donated back to the local community, and a small portion of the funds were donated towards a water well filter program abroad. “This is one of several events that the South Tyler Rotary participates in which upholds our motto, ‘Service Above Self’; the entire South Tyler Rotary is involved in this event,” said Tom DeWitt, President of the South Tyler Rotary. “We are proud to be able to donate these funds back to so many local organizations.”

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse Head Football Coach Randy McFarlin is out of the hospital, and back home with his family. Coach McFarlin has been recovering from a serious car accident that happened November 28th. McFarlin, who was driving back from Daingerfield to Whitehouse when the accident occurred, was airlifted to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler for emergency surgery and then to the Intensive Care Unit. He suffered multiple internal injuries, fractured ribs, and a fractured pelvis. Coach McFarlin, his wife, their son Craig and his fiancee’ were involved in the head-on collision.

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for the man who robbed a gas station. It happened around 8:00 Sunday night at 1321 Lake Placid Road. A black male wearing all dark clothing entered the business and demanded all the money from the register. The clerk gave the suspect an undetermined amount of cash. The man then demanded the car keys from a customer, but fled on foot when the customer was not able to give him the keys. The suspect fled the store west bound on Lake Placid. No injuries were reported.

UNDATED — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin pavement repair operations on State Highway 31 between Trinidad and Malakoff, followed later in the week by the same work on State Highway 31 Business and State Highway 19 Business in downtown Athens.

A second crew is scheduled to perform edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 314 between Brownsboro and Farm Road 315 near Coffee City. Once that work is complete, crews are scheduled to perform the same work on Farm Road 315 and Farm Road 2010. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform fog seal operations on Farm Road 2330 between State Highway 19 and Farm Road 860, and on Farm Road 1817 between U.S. Highway 287 and Farm Road 323. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Fog seal operations require lengthy lane closures and can cause moderate delays to traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 858 between State Highway 19 south of Canton and Farm Road 314 south of Van, and on various Interstate Highway 20 frontage roads. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to be at work on the following roadways in and around Wood County:
*Farm Road 778 between State Highway 37 in Quitman and U.S. Highway 80;
*State Highway 37 north of Quitman;
*Farm Road 857 near Farm Road 1255; and
*FM 49 east of FM 14.
Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several weeks of edge repairs in various locations on U.S. Highway 175 between Jacksonville and Poynor. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

TYLER — ABC’S “Extreme Home Makeover” comes to Palm Harbor Homes at 2701 East Front in Tyler at 4:00 Tuesday afternoon for what could be a lifesaving opportunity. Palm Harbor provided a house for the Brown family of Wellman, Texas. Now the Browns are on a statewide crusade to raise awareness about the dangers of texting and driving after a fatal accident involving their daughter Alex. Their program is called BUST (Buckle Up Stop Texting). Family members will be on hand Tuesday telling their story. Nashville artist Mark McGuinn will be on stage along with ABC personnel, and the “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” Bus will be on the scene as well.

The family has started a pledge for teens to sign saying they will not text and drive, so organizers say they want as many teenagers there as possible. The family is also taking donations to raise money for its cause. The story of the family’s new house will be featured in a two-hour special on ABC on Jan 30. This is the second house Palm Harbor has provided for a family. The company also helped launch a campaign to warn teens (and adults for that matter) about the dangers of texting and driving. It’s called Remember Alex Brown. You can go to http://www.rememberalexbrownfoundation.org or http://www.facebook.com/RememberAlexBrown to learn more. Palm Harbor personnel say eleven teens per day die from distracted driving.

Event organizers are asking you to “Give a Dollar, Save a Life.” Information from a company staffer says it costs family members, on average, a dollar per student that they reach, so Palm Harbor wants to help them launch a campaign to reach 100,000 teens by getting 100,000 people to donate $1. All you have to do is go to http://www.extremephn.com and click on “Donate.”

TYLER — An informative event was held in Tyler over the weekend to address a growing problem. Saturday’s bullying conference in Tyler, “The bully, the bullied and the bystander” featured noted author and speaker Barbara Coloroso. Her goal was to inform and educate about what bullying is and what it isn’t. “It begins about age 5 with little girls feeling it’s ok to exclude other little girls and works all the way up to the point where we have young people killing themselves cause they can’t take it anymore,” Coloroso said. Coloroso considers bullying to be inflicting pain on another and taking pleasure in that pain.

It’s an age-old problem, but bullying has recently gotten a technological face-lift. “Internet and cell phones, cyber bullying, that has such a tremendous impact. It used to be years ago, I could go home and get away from the targeting but now our young people are facing it 24/7,” Coloroso said.

She says stopping the cycle of bullying is a community job, because neither parents nor schools can do it alone.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches County Constable’s Office Precinct 4 has made a felony arrest after a methamphetamine lab bust on FM 2713 Thursday evening, officials said. It also recovered several components from a meth lab. The Constable’s office had been receiving information that drug activity was occurring at the residence. Upon further investigation, officers found the residence did belong to Randy Cox, who was arrested last year for manufacturing methamphetamine. Cox is currently serving his sentence in prison for that arrest.

The constable’s office found out that Cynthia Cox, who is related to Randy, was living at the residence. Bridges stated that he and his deputies arrived Thursday evening at the residence and conducted a search after obtaining consent to search the residence. Items recovered at the residence included a gram of methamphetamine, marijuana and several components for a methamphetamine laboratory. Bridges stated evidence was observed that a methamphetamine laboratory had been used at the residence before and several items were found outside in a burn pile.

EAST TEXAS — Smith County Officials were fighting two house fires last night. The first house fire was located in Whitehouse, near the intersection of Shadow Wood Drive and Eastern Hills Drive.

The second house fire was near Red Springs, close to the intersection of County Road 313 East Sand Flat, less than a mile down County Road 314.

Several fire departments responded to both house fires. There has been no word on any injuries, however there was a pet lost in the house fire near Red Springs. Officials say no one was home when the house fire near Red Springs began. Neighbors told KETK they saw smoke billowing from the left side of the house and called the fire department. Officials say the house is a loss.

BEAUMONT – A Lufkin man and woman have pleaded guilty in Beaumont to charges related to a double homicide which took place in Nacogdoches in August, 2007. Brent Stalsby, 30, pleaded guilty to committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity (VICAR) Friday before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone. Specifically, Brent Stalsby admitted that he murdered David Mitchamore and Christy Rochelle Brown. Terry Stalsby, 29, pleaded guilty to charges of accessory after the fact in the murder of Christy Rochelle Brown Friday before Judge Crone.

According to information presented in court, Carl Carver was a general of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, a powerful race-based state-wide organization which operates inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout the state of Texas and the United States. Authorities say the ABT enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects, and associates. According to authorities, this is done through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery, and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise. Members, and often associates, are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, often referred to as “direct orders.”

It is believed that David Mitchamore, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, and his girlfriend, Christy Rochelle Brown, were murdered by Brent Stalsby as a result of a “direct order” issued by Carver because of Mitchamore’s failure to repay an outstanding debt he allegedly owed to the Aryan Brotherhood general. The bodies of Mitchamore, also known as “Super Dave,” and Brown were discovered in Nacogdoches County on August 10, 2007. Terry Stalsby was present when the “direct order” issued by Carver was delivered to Charles Cameron Frazier, who pleaded guilty to his role in the murders late last week. Terry Stalsby also actively participated in a plan to conceal the gang members’ roles in the murders after the murders took place.

Brent Stalsby faces life in federal prison at sentencing. Terry Stalsby faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set for either defendant. Carver has also pleaded guilty to his role in the case. U.S. Attorney John Bales expressed his appreciation for what he termed the hard work performed by so many officers and agents. Bales remarked, “From the beginning, our purpose in becoming involved in this case was two-fold – to successfully prosecute the brutal murders of David Mitchamore and Christy Brown, and to completely dismantle the ABT criminal enterprise. With each conviction, we take a large step closer to both goals.”

LONGVIEW — Longview police seek suspects in some area burglaries, and the suspects reportedly hit a house with their vehicle during a police chase. Around 1:51 a.m. Friday, officers were dispatched to a convenience store in the 2400 Block of H.G. Mosley Parkway. Upon arrival they found the store had been burglarized and property stolen. During the investigation it was discovered that the same suspects might have also burglarized two more locations, one inside the city and one in Gregg County.

Later another officer observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspects’ vehicle. A short pursuit ensued, and the driver of the truck lost control and struck a house near the intersection of Louise and Texas Streets, causing considerable damage. The two suspects then fled the scene on foot. According to KETK, one of the men is described as a black male, while the other is unknown. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Longview Police Department at (903) 237-1199.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees Thursday accepted and approved the proposal of Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) in the amount of $58,650 to provide a complete demographic study projecting student populations, long range facility needs, and attendance zone planning through 2020. PASA was first selected in November 2003 to provide the demographic study that school officials say enabled the district to plan appropriately for the construction of new schools in the 2004 bond issue. PASA has provided periodic updates to their demographic study since the initial study was conducted.

School officials say PASA was selected based on the quality of its study and the firm’s reputation with districts and state agencies. According to information from the school district, the data provided by PASA’s earlier studies have proven to be thorough and accurate. The demographic study will be paid for from the bond funds.